Shelby Post 82 downs Post 77 in seven innings

Henderson County Post 77's Brett Baker (3) and Zane Atkins (11) close in on a Shelby player in a chase dow during Friday's game at East Henderson.

BRITTANY JACKSON/ TIMES-NEWS

By JOHN DOMANSKYTimes-News Correspondent

Published: Friday, June 21, 2013 at 11:29 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, June 21, 2013 at 11:29 p.m.

EAST FLAT ROCK — Henderson County Post 77 struggled once again at the plate on Friday night in American Legion baseball, falling 13-2 to Shelby in a 10-run rule shortened seven-inning game at East Henderson.

The short-handed Post 77 team (with only 12 available players) struck out 11 times in the first four innings against Tusculum College signee Ethan Carpenter.

"They are loaded with arms and their pitcher threw a heck of a game. I tip my hat to them. Early hits did not come for us. Even though we are struggling, we are getting better," Post 77 coach Ray Gill said.

Pitcher Caleb Williamson kept Post 77 (4-12, 3-7 in the Western N.C. division) in the game early, limiting the potent Post 82 lineup to just two runs in the first four innings, both coming on sacrifice fly balls.

"Caleb did a heck of a job for us in the first four innings keeping them off balance. He has not pitched a lot this year and was solid early for us tonight," said Gill.

Post 82's bats came alive in the fourth and fifth innings, as they put up four runs in both innings to blow the game open at 10-0.

Thomas Waddell (2-for-2) and Avery Sneed (1-for-3) both smacked one-out singles in the bottom of the sixth inning for Post 77. After advancing on a passed ball, they both scored on Noah Poteat's ground ball single past Post 82's second baseman to cut the lead to 10-2.

"We changed the lineup a bit tonight, hitting Tommy (Waddell) leadoff. He is our offensive catalyst, runs the bases well and can steal bases," said Gill.

Capping off the evening's scoring was Post 82 scoring three runs in the top of the seventh inning without a base hit.

Post 77 enters a busy portion of its schedule, with home games this week against Haywood County (Monday), Cherryville (Tuesday), Burke County (Thursday) and Rutherford County (Friday).

<p>EAST FLAT ROCK — Henderson County Post 77 struggled once again at the plate on Friday night in American Legion baseball, falling 13-2 to Shelby in a 10-run rule shortened seven-inning game at East Henderson.</p><p>The short-handed Post 77 team (with only 12 available players) struck out 11 times in the first four innings against Tusculum College signee Ethan Carpenter.</p><p>"They are loaded with arms and their pitcher threw a heck of a game. I tip my hat to them. Early hits did not come for us. Even though we are struggling, we are getting better," Post 77 coach Ray Gill said.</p><p>Pitcher Caleb Williamson kept Post 77 (4-12, 3-7 in the Western N.C. division) in the game early, limiting the potent Post 82 lineup to just two runs in the first four innings, both coming on sacrifice fly balls.</p><p>"Caleb did a heck of a job for us in the first four innings keeping them off balance. He has not pitched a lot this year and was solid early for us tonight," said Gill.</p><p>Post 82's bats came alive in the fourth and fifth innings, as they put up four runs in both innings to blow the game open at 10-0.</p><p>Thomas Waddell (2-for-2) and Avery Sneed (1-for-3) both smacked one-out singles in the bottom of the sixth inning for Post 77. After advancing on a passed ball, they both scored on Noah Poteat's ground ball single past Post 82's second baseman to cut the lead to 10-2.</p><p>"We changed the lineup a bit tonight, hitting Tommy (Waddell) leadoff. He is our offensive catalyst, runs the bases well and can steal bases," said Gill.</p><p>Capping off the evening's scoring was Post 82 scoring three runs in the top of the seventh inning without a base hit.</p><p>Post 77 enters a busy portion of its schedule, with home games this week against Haywood County (Monday), Cherryville (Tuesday), Burke County (Thursday) and Rutherford County (Friday).</p>